Senate budget debate interrupted by protesters

MADISON, Wis. - The state Senate's debate of the state budget has been interrupted by groups of shouting protesters.

In what appeared to be a coordinated demonstration Thursday, protesters in the Senate gallery began shouting, "Focus on jobs, not vaginas!" Others stormed through the outer doors and tried to gain access to the Senate floor. Authorities stopped them before they reached any lawmaker.

Debate was disrupted for several minutes as police detained the protesters. They continued shouting as police took them away. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Administration, which oversees the state Capitol Police Department, said in an email that officers removed eight people. Police plan to cite them for disorderly conduct.

The Republican-controlled Senate recently passed a bill that requires women to undergo an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion.

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